Device for adapting a unit of ammunition for different types of targets and situations

ABSTRACT

An ammunition unit ( 1 ) designed to he adaptable to different types of targets ( 2,2′ ) or situations. The said ammunition unit comprises cylindrical warhead charges ( 4, 5 ) that confine or form explosive compositions ( 23 ), on or around the outside of which there are effect layers or casing containing effect elements ( 25, 27 ). These effect elements together with the explosive compositions ( 24 ) constitute the combatant function. Two or more cylindrical warhead charges ( 4, 5 ) are arranged essentially parallel alongside each other or inside each other. Each of the cylindrical warhead charges comprises effect layers around their cylindrical outer surface that provide different effects in target. The cylindrical warhead charges are rotatably arranged to assume different rotational setting modes, and in each such mode the same type or co-ordinated types of effect layers are directed outwards.

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for adapting a unit of ammunition for different types of targets or engagement situations. ‘Ammunition unit’ herein denotes roll-stabilised missiles, cruise missiles, anti-tank rounds, etc. As claimed in the present invention the ammunition unit shall contain cylindrical explosive parts, hereinafter called warhead charges, encapsulating explosive compositions, on or around the surface of which there is a warhead effect layer comprised of effect elements in the form of, for example, pellets, fragments, incendiary agents, etc. The warhead effect elements together with the explosive compositions constitute the combatant function.

[0002] Arranging warhead charges in the said types of ammunition units is already known, whereby each warhead charge can be constructed for use against a specific type of target by employing explosives, warheads With pellets, fragments, etc. This means that different types of warhead charges must be used for different types of targets, which means that a relatively large assortment of ammunition must be available in the vicinity when engaging different types of targets. General reference can be made to the general technology applied in this field and to the patent literature in this technological field.

[0003] There is a distinct desire to be able to reduce the assortment of ammunition, which—to comply with the above requirements—means that one and the same ammunition unit must be designed to effectively engage different types of targets and situations. Despite the enhanced requirement for engaging a number of different types of targets with the same ammunition unit this desired capability must not impose constraints on the ammunition unit's other functions; instead, the technical-financial requirements gained through the proposed measures must be attainable without the ammunition unit or its functions being made more complex or expensive in other respects. The main objective of the present invention is to resolve this problem among other things.

[0004] In some contexts it is also relevant to be able to effect different warhead functions in different directions, thus relating to a roll-stabilised ammunition unit such as a missile. It is intended that the present invention should also resolve this problem.

[0005] The main characteristic features of the device mentioned in the introduction are that the cylindrical or otherwise rotationally symmetrical warhead charges are arranged essentially parallel alongside each other or inside each other, and that the outer wall of each of the cylindrical warhead charges incorporates or interacts with different effect layers to provide different effects in the target. Additional features are that the cylindrical warhead charges are rotatably arranged to assume various angles of rotation, and that the charges are also arranged to assume different setting modes so that in each mode the same type of, or coordinate types of, effect layers in the charges face outwards when viewed from the outside of the ammunition unit. Adjustment to different types of targets can thereby be effected by setting the warhead charges to the appropriate mode.

[0006] The device in the present invention can be considered to be characterised by the fact that a warhead charge is designed and that an explosive composition is arranged inside the warhead charge to be rotatable relative to the tubular warhead charge between various angles of rotation positions. Another characteristic is that the tubular warhead charge is arranged with a first effect layer extending around an arc of the cylindrical surface of the warhead charge when viewed through a cross-section of the charge (cf. the cross-sections illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9). Another characteristic feature is that between the tubular warhead charge and the explosive composition there is a second effect layer arranged extending around an arc of the inner surface of the tubular warhead charge and the outer surface of the explosive composition, and at the first angle of rotation position the two effect layers are directed essentially away from each other (in diametrically opposed directions) and in the second angle of rotation position the two effect layers overlap each other completely, i.e. they are directed in the same direction. Adjustment to different types of targets even in this case is via the setting of the respective angle of rotation positions.

[0007] In a preferred design the rotational motion of the warhead charges is co-ordinated. The rotation device can be arranged to effect each setting position by using one or more guides. The rotation device can be controllable from ground-based equipment via wire or wireless communication. Alternatively the rotation device can be adjustable on the ground via a manually actuated arrangement or actuation device.

[0008] In another design version of the invention concept, in the first setting mode position of rotation of the warhead charge a first effect layer with large pellets or fragments is directed outwards, while in a second setting mode position of rotation a second effect layer with smaller pellets or fragments is directed outwards instead. Moreover, a first effect layer can comprise pellets or fragments of some kind, while a second effect layer can be free of effect elements to enable the warhead charge to exert pressure effect. The effect layer in question can also, or alternatively, comprise incendiary elements or some other type of element.

[0009] In the version with mutually parallel cylindrical warhead charges they are rotated and journalled at one or both ends by means of the said rotation device. In the version with two cylindrical warhead charges arranged inside each other they can operate with a first setting position where both charges display an effect layer with pellets or fragments directed outwards, and a second setting position where the arcs free of effect elements are located in a first direction and the arcs with effect elements are directed in a joint direction that is opposite to the first mentioned direction. Such an arrangement has special advantages for an ammunition unit that is roll-stabilised such as a missile. The ammunition unit can thereby be released or activated with either the effect layers free of effect elements directed at the target, or with the effect layers comprising effect elements directed at the target. In a third attack option there can thus be an effect layer with effect elements all around the circumference of the warhead charge. In a preferred design version each warhead charge displays two or more different effect layers around its circumference. In the version with two different effect layers, each effect layer occupies approximately half the circumference. In the design version with two warhead charges arranged rotatably inside each other the main explosive charge is located inside the outermost charge and is rotatable in the outermost charge.

[0010] The above proposals enable a number of advantages. The target adaptation function opens the way for technical-financial benefits. The target adaptation function can be remotely operated via a wire or wireless link. A wide choice of options can be achieved when constructing the warhead charges and their effect layers or casing.

[0011] A currently proposed design for a device as claimed in the present invention is described below with reference to the appended FIGS. 1-9 in which

[0012]FIG. 1 shows a general overview of a burst in the vicinity of a first target type,

[0013]FIG. 2 shows a general overview of a burst from an ammunition unit in the vicinity of a second target type,

[0014]FIG. 3 is a vertical section partially illustrating parts of warhead charges arranged in an ammunition unit where the charges are arranged to be mutually rotatable to different angles of rotation positions that serve as setting mode positions for the charges,

[0015]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional end view of an arrangement with three cylindrical warhead charges arranged alongside each other in a first setting mode position,

[0016]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional end view showing the warhead charges illustrated in FIG. 4 in a second setting mode position,

[0017]FIG. 6 is a cross-section showing an arrangement with four cylindrical warhead charges arranged in a first setting mode position,

[0018]FIG. 7 is a cross-section showing the cylindrical warhead charges illustrated in FIG. 6 in a second setting mode position,

[0019]FIG. 8 is a cross-section showing a design with two cylindrical warhead charges where one comprises an outer cylinder and the other an inner cylinder whereby the two warhead charges assume a first mutual setting mode position, and

[0020]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional end view showing the two warhead charges illustrated in FIG. 8, but where they have assumed a second setting mode position.

[0021] Number 1 in FIG. 1 denotes an ammunition cargo unit, for example in the form of a missile. The ammunition unit in question is set to engage a target of a first type denoted 2. The combatant function in question is for combating the target using purely pressure effect.

[0022] In the case illustrated in FIG. 2 ammunition unit 1′ is engaging a target 2′ of a different type. The combatant function in this case is designed to use the said pressure effect in combination with pellets or fragments 3.

[0023] In FIG. 3 a number of cylindrical warhead charges are arranged in an ammunition unit 1″. The Figure illustrates two warhead charges denoted 4 and 5. In addition to their cylindrical form shown in cross-section the longitudinal form of the warhead charges is also shown (in landscape format in FIG. 3). The warhead charges are journalled at one end at least, in journal devices 6. At their other end the warhead charges are actuated by rotation device 7, which can consist of an electric motor or manual actuating device, etc. Motor actuation is via its driver 8 acting on cogs or gear rings 9 and 10 located on the said warhead charges 4 and 5. Moreover, warhead charges 4 and 5 are equipped with initiation or detonation devices generally indicated by 11 and 12. The said devices 11 and 12 can be triggered from a trigger unit 13 of a type already known. The trigger unit can be equipped with the mode setting device 14 that can be actuated via a manual control 15 or via a wireless link 16 via a receiver 17. The missile can be triggered either by the control devices in units 13 and 14 or by a trigger signal received via the wireless link 16 from a unit 18 on the ground. In the case of an electric motor for setting the angle of rotation positions for warhead charges 4 and 5 the ammunition unit 1″ can incorporate a control unit 19 to actuate the motor 7. Even 19 can be controlled by time circuits or from the ground via wireless link (cf. 16 and 18). The ammunition unit can thus have a first setting mode at the beginning of its trajectory or flight path, but if the target or type of target changes while the ammunition unit is in flight towards the target, or if the ammunition unit 1″ shall be re-directed at a different target while in flight, adjustment to an alternative setting mode can be effected to achieve an effective target kill even in this case.

[0024] The motor illustrated in FIG. 3 enables two setting modes to be effected in the case illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The first setting mode is illustrated in FIG. 4. Three warhead charges are arranged in parallel alongside each other, located with their longitudinal axes at right angles to the cross-section shown in FIG. 4. In the present design example the individual cylindrical warhead charges 20, 21 and 22 are essentially constructed in the same way, and so only one warhead charge will be described in detail herein. Warhead charge 20 contains an explosive composition inside of already known type. Effect layers 24 and 25 are arranged outside the explosive composition, i.e. adjacent to the periphery 20 a of the ammunition unit 20. The first effect layer 24 comprises pellets 26 of a large dimension, and effect layer 25 comprises pellets 27 of a small dimension. Each effect layer extends along half the periphery of warhead charge 20. In the setting mode illustrated in FIG. 1 the effect layer 25 is directed outwards, i.e. in the directions of arrows 28, 29 and 30. This means that the warhead function triggered in ammunition unit 1′″ will comprise mainly pressure effect from explosive compositions 23 combined with the effect from pellets 27 of small dimension.

[0025] By means of the manual or electrical rotation of the cylindrical warhead charges 20, 21 and 22 by one half of a revolution the charges in question will assume the second setting mode illustrated in FIG. 5. The rotation can be effected in the directions shown by arrows 31, 32 and 33. In this second setting mode the effect layer 24 is directed outwards, i.e. in the directions of arrows 28, 29 and 30. In this setting mode the warhead charges can thus effectively engage a different type of target compared with the type illustrated in FIG. 4. It is realised that other types of effect layers can be employed. When triggered in this setting mode the explosive compositions 23 in warhead charges 20, 21 and 22 produce a combined pressure and pellets effect with the pellets of large dimension.

[0026]FIGS. 6 and 7 show a design in which four essentially identical cylindrical warhead charges are arranged parallel to each other in a way similar to the case illustrated in FIG. 4. Each cylindrical warhead charge is constructed in a similar manner to those illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and, consequently, is not described in any further detail herein. The warhead charges 34-36 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 also operate with two setting modes that are realised by an initial setting mode being employed as shown in FIG. 6, while a second setting mode as shown in FIG. 7 is effected by rotational actuation, either manually and/or electrically even in this case. The effect layer with its location of pellets and their respective dimensions is similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0027] The design shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 uses an outer circular, tubular warhead charge 38. The main warhead charge 39 is also cylindrical in form and located inside charge 38. The cylindrical main warhead charge 39 is arranged inside the tubular warhead charge 38, and charges 38 and 39 are mutually rotatable in relation to each other. This mutual rotatability can be achieved by enabling charge 38 to rotate in relation to charge 39 or vice versa. In an alternative design both parts could be rotatable to enable the two different mutual rotational or setting modes illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Half the periphery of the tubular charge 38 comprises an effect layer 40 containing pellets of a first (large) dimension. Half the periphery of the main warhead charge 39 comprises an embedded unit 42 of smaller diameter than that of unit 43. An effect layer 44 is thus formed along the embedded unit 42. Effect elements in the form of pellets 45 can be arranged in the said effect layer, which can comprise smaller dimension pellets in relation to those designated 41. Alternatively the same pellet dimension can be used, or the effect layer 44 can comprise pellets of a larger dimension than pellets 41 in effect layer 40. In the setting mode between charges 38 and 39 the effect layers 40 and 44 are directed outwards, i.e. in the directions of arrows 46 and 47, which directions are diametrically opposed. This arrangement enables a 360-degree dispersion of pellet elements 41 and 45 when the main warhead charge 39 is initiated. It should here be noted that FIGS. 8 and 9 only illustrate functions in a general manner and that the tubular charge 38, for example, must display greater wall thicknesses to enable a space to be formed to accommodate effect layer 40.

[0028] In the setting mode illustrated in FIG. 9 the tubular charge 38 has been rotated a half revolution in relation to main warhead charge 39, which means that effect layers 41 and 44 are located alongside each other, i.e. both layers directed outwards in the same direction 47. There is thus a layer free of effect elements in the diametrically opposite direction 46. Consequently, in direction 47 the warhead charge when initiated will produce pressure effect combined with the effects from pellets 41 and 45, while in the opposite direction only pressure effect will be produced.

[0029] The main warhead charge 39 in one design, shown in cross-section in FIG. 8, can comprise two semi-spheres with different radii, R and R′. The smaller radius R′ of the semi-sphere provides space to accommodate the second effect layer 44. Loose pellets 45 can be applied in the layer or space 44, and can in principle lie unattached beside each other. The pellets can even be cast in a hard shell. The pellets 45 are thus constrained by the inner surface 38 a of the tubular charge 38 and the outer surface 39 a of the semi-spherical unit. At the transition between the two semi-spheres there are collars 39 b that close off the space 44 and retain the pellets 45 inside the said space. The arrangement is thus such that the semi-sphere with the larger diameter R displays an outer surface 39 c that is slightly inside the inner surface 38 b of the tubular charge 38. Main warhead charge 39 is thus journalled inside the said inner surface 38 b via its outer surface 39 c and pellets 45. The arrangement is devised thus to enable rotation to be relatively easy. The rotation function in the design illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 can be constructed in accordance with the above. This also applies to the journalling function. In FIG. 4 the outer surface or periphery of the cylindrical warhead charge is designated 20 a. The outer surface or periphery of the tubular warhead charge in FIG. 8 is designated 39 d. In the designs illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 one effect layer, e.g. effect layer 25, can in principle be omitted and the semi-spherical part of the explosive composition can extend out to, or in the proximity of, the periphery 20 a In this way pressure effect alone would be produced in one direction. This also applies to the designs illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0030] The present invention is not limited to the design examples illustrated above, but can be subjected to modifications within the framework of the subsequent patent claims and the invention concept. 

We hereby claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following:
 1. A device for adapting an ammunition unit (1, 1′, 1″) for different types of targets (2, 2′) or situations whereby the said unit comprises cylindrical, rotationally symmetrical or at least mainly rotationally symmetrical warhead charges (4, 5) that contain or form explosive compositions (23) and on or around their outsides incorporate an effect layer with effect elements (25, 27) such as pellets, fragments, incendiary agents, etc, which together with the explosive compositions (23) constitute the combatant function wherein one or other of the following alternatives applies: a) two or more cylindrical warhead charges (4, 5) arranged essentially parallel alongside each other or inside each other, and each of the said cylindrical warhead charges comprises or interacts with different effect layers (24, 25) that provide different effects in target, and which warhead charges are rotatably arranged to be able to assume different angle of rotation setting modes such that in each setting mode the same type or co-ordinate types of effect layers in the ammunition unit are directed outwards, and b) a tubular warhead charge (38) inside which a main warhead charge (39) is arranged, both charges being mutually rotatable between different angle of rotation setting modes, and the said tubular warhead charge is arranged with a first effect layer (40) extending along part of the periphery (39 d) of the said tubular warhead charge when viewed in cross-section, and between the said tubular warhead charge and the said main warhead charge there is arranged at least a second effect layer (44) extending along part of the inner surface of the said tubular warhead charge and the outer surface of the said main warhead charge, and these said effect layers can assume different angle of rotation setting modes relative to each other such that in a first setting mode between the two said charges the two effect layers are directed essentially in opposite directions (46, 47) from each other while in a second setting mode the two effect layers completely or partially overlap each other, i.e. are directed in the same direction (47), whereby adaptation to different types of targets is effected by setting the ammunition unit to its respective setting modes.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rotational motion of the warhead charges is coordinated.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the rotation device(s) is(are) arranged to effect each setting mode depending on one or more control commands.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the rotation device is remotely controllable.
 5. A device as claimed in any of the previous claims wherein the rotation device is manually actuated in conjunction with selection of type of target.
 6. A device as claimed in any of claims 1-5 wherein in a first setting mode the warhead charge directs a first effect layer with large pellets or fragments outwards and in a second setting mode directs an effect layer with small pellets or fragments outwards.
 7. A device as claimed in any of claims 1-5 wherein in a first setting mode the warhead charge directs a first effect layer with effect elements outwards and in a second setting mode directs an effect layer free of effect elements outwards.
 8. A device as claimed in any of the previous claims wherein in the cases with warhead charges arranged parallel alongside each other or inside each other they are arranged to be actuated by a rotation device or devices arranged at one or both ends of the said cylindrical warhead charges.
 9. A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the warhead charges are journalled at both ends in rotation devices.
 10. A device as claimed in any of the previous claims wherein each cylindrical warhead charge has two different effect layers that each extend around approximately half the periphery of the said cylindrical warhead charge.
 11. A device as claimed in any of the previous claims wherein there are two, three, four or more warhead charges incorporated.
 12. A device as claimed in any of the previous claims wherein the explosive compositions when viewed in cross-section comprise two semi-spheres with different radii R, R′).
 13. A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the explosive composition accommodates the second effect layer by virtue of the semi-sphere with the smaller radius (R′).
 14. A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein effect elements (45) in the form of pellets, fragments, etc, are located between the outer surface of the semi-sphere with the second radius and the inner surface of the tubular warhead charge.
 15. A device as claimed in any of the previous claims wherein the tubular warhead charge displays an annular space (40) in which effect elements in the form of pellets, fragments, etc are located.
 16. A device as claimed in any of the previous claims wherein the tubular warhead charge (38) and the main warhead charge (39) are directed in the same direction (46) in a second rotational setting mode such that the two warhead charges (38, 39) provide pressure effect only. 